Crossbar line switch



July 17, 1923.

J. N. REYNOLDS CROSSBAR LINE SWITCH Filed Oct. 14 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 1L/0/7/7 A/PeJ//nO/d,

dal

July 17, 1923.

J. N. REYNOLDS CROSSBAR LINE SWITCH Filed Oct, 14 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 2July 17, 1923. Y 1,462,047

J. N. REYNOLDS CROSSBAR LINE SWITCH Filed oct. 14 1920 s sheets-sheet sJuly 17, 1923. 1,462,047

J. N. REYNOLDS CROSSBAR LINE SWITCH Filed Oct. 14 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 4*July l 7, 1923. 1-f462,047

J. N. REYNOLDS CROSSBAR LINE SWITCH Filed oct. 14 1920l 5 sheets-sheet 5i y JO/7/7/V 9627/70/06 scribers lines.

Patented July 17, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN NEWBERR'Y REYNL' Si, DE GREENWICH, CONNECTCUT. SSIIGNOR TO WESTERNELECTRIC COMPANY. INGGRPDRATEI', OF NEW YORK, N.

NEW YORK.

Y., .'fi. CORPORATION' OF CRSSBAR LTNE SWITCH.

Application filed October 14, 1920.

To all whom t may cof/cern Be it lrnown that 'i'. Jorrit NarrateurldicrixoLos., citizen el? the United States. residing at Greenwich. inthe county ci Fairfield, State ot Connecticut, have invented certain newand usei'ul .improvements in Crossbar Line Switches, of which thefollowing is a full. clear, concise, and exact de scription. I

This invention relates to electric switches of the type used inautomatic telephone eX- changes tor effecting connections betweencalling subscribers lines and trunk lines to first selectors or otherswitching apparatus whereby calls are extended to other sul i Switchesof the class including this invention are known as line switches. Moreparticularly this invention relates to that class of line switchesdesignated as the cross bar type.

The object oi this invention is the prevision ot a commerciallypracticable cross bar line switch, that is one which is economical tomanufacture, which will, give continuous and satisfactory service andwhich is easily accessible for adjustments. repairs7 and replacements ofparts when the latter become worn.

All cross bar switches, as the name implies are characterized, incontradistinction to other types of line switches, by c0ordi natelyarranged conducting bars; those bars extending in one direction beingassociated with subscribers lines and those extending in the otherdirection with trunk lines. The subscribers line bars, or briefly linebars each being arranged in co-ordinate relation to all the trunlr barsare adapted to establish electrical connections with all the trunk barsindividually. In other words. any subscribers line associated with theswitch may be connected with any trunk line associated therewith.

In ordinary practice, a cross bar line switch is provided with ten ortwelve trunk bars, each of which is associated with a separate trunkcircuit, and one hundred line bars, each of which is associated with asub-- scribers line.

This invention does not differ functionally from the cross har lineswitches which have Serial No. 418,835.

heretofore been developed7 but it does differ therefrom in certainimprovements which contribute materially to operating eilic'iency andeconomy.

One of the improved features of this invention is the provision o'lfmeans whereby the line bars can be readily moved out of operablerelation to the trunk bars so that the latter are made accessible foradjustments. repairs and replacements. This ad vantage is accomplishedby mounting the line bars in `groups on hinged members which are easilyswung into or out of their normal positions.

Another .feature resides in the improved design of the trunk bars, whichwhile providing a structure which is extremely economical to manufacturehas an added advantage oif no small importance, in that its contactsprings are particularly easy to ad- `tust.

Still another feature is the arrangement ot the line bars so that theymove in a horizontal plane instead of a vertical plane to establishconnections with the trunk bars. This `feature is ot' advantage becauseit permits mounting the line bar operating magnets more conveniently inthe space available and permits the use of larger magnets than wouldotherwise be possible, unless the line bars werel spaced farther apart,which would of course result in a larger switch.

The switch to be described hereinafter as representative of thisinvention comprises twelve vertical trunk bars and one hundredhorizontal line bars. Each trunk bar is divided into two like parts, butthe two parts operate simultaneously and are connected togetherelectrically. They are in eil'ect one trunk bar and are so considered inthe detailed description hereinafter. The;T are arranged in two groups,one above 'the other, one haiil of each trunk bar being in the uppergroup and the other half in the lower group.

An operating mechanism for the trunk bars is situated midway between thetwo groups. The function of this operating mechanism is to select idletrunk hars and move them into position so that they can be engaged bythe line hars, and further to release the trunk bars after they havebeen so engaged. When a trunk bar has been moved into position where itcan be engaged by a line bar it is said to be pre-selected or to havebeen moved into its pre-selected position. The method of pre-selectingthe trunk bars in the present instance consists in rotating them througha small angle from their normal positions. Qnly onel trunk bar at a timecan be in a pre-selected position. As soon as trunlr bar is engaged by aline bar it must be returned to its normal position, and a succeedingidle trunk bar must be immediately pre-selected.

The trunk bar operating mechanism described hereinafter is that which isdescribed and claimed in the co-pending application of Arthur C.Magrath, Serial. Number 417,068, inea October i5, 192e.

The line bars are arranged in tour of twenty-tive each, there being` twogroups of line bars on each side of the switch. The line bars describedhereinafter are those which are described and claimed in the copendingapplication of Arthur C. lllagrath, Serial Number 417,428, tiled ctoberi6, 1920.

Referring to the drawings herewith: Fig. l is a perspective view showingthe assembled switch. This view particularly illustrates the hingedmountings for the line bars. The lower group ot trunk bars is shown inthis' view, the upper group being concealed by the line bars. The trunkbar operating mechanism is shown in a general way situated between thetwo grouns of trunk bars. The electro-magnets iter operating the linebars are shown situated in a vertical row on the right hand side ot theswitch. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing four trunkbars; one line bar with the hinged member on which it is mounted (thehinged portion being broken away), and two electro-magnets tor operatingline bars. Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view along the line 3-3 of F ig.5, illustrating particularly the trunk bar operating mechanism. F ig. 4fis an elevational view taken at the left hand end ot' Fig. 3, showingthe trunk selecting commutator and the motor magnet Yfor rotating thetrunk bar operating mechanism. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5ot' Fig. 9, illustrating the trunk bar operating' mechanism, Fig. 6 isan elevation ot the groups middle portion of the switch on the sidethereof opposite the trunk bar operating mechanism as indicated by theline 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a perspective view ot a portion of a linebar.

Each trunk bar, as previously stated comprises two like sections, oneot' which is situated in the upper group and the other in the lowergroup. This is illustrated in Fig. 5, which shows the lower end et anupper strip, etc. The strips are superposed and vii'isulated troni eachother and are att-ached to the supper-til member ot the trunk bar bj.'means oi'l bolts l2". The spring-arms are arranged in groups shown inlig. 5, cach group being associated with a line har.

il. strip ot insulating material .ll having a. tlat edge a ainst whichthe spri g-arins normally bear, is situated near the ends oit thespriiur-arms. This strip holds the springirms i a common plane. i

lilith the arrangement described wherein the spring-arms are situatedside by side instead ot being superiiiosed one upon the other as hasheretofore been customary, adjustment of the individual spring-arms isfacilitated in that the adjusting of each springarm is entirelyindependent ot and docs not inici-'tere with the adjustment et theothers.

The line bars. each comprise 'four strips ot metal. 6. 3 and Sl, each orwhich is provided with thirteen contact V`icinbers l0. Twelve of' thesecontact members' are each associated with a. spring-arm of :i trunk harand the other contact member is l.zociatcrl with a coi'it-act spring ll.ildlhen a. line bar is in normal position :is shown in Fig. i2, none ofits contact members 'ill are eng tied.

The line bers1 are cach pivotally nounted on linlrs le; which in turnare pivotally mounted on. brackets l5, which are attached to the hingedmembers di). Springs i6 hold the line bars in their normal positionswhen they are not otherwise displaced.

dissociated with each lne bar is an electro-magnet 19 which has anarmature 19 to which is attached an arm 1T. The latter gages the linehar and Iupon cnel` 'tation ol electro-magnet 1li? moxcf the line oarout of its normal position through an arcuate path indicated by thearrow in Q. It will bc seen that the ends ot the springet' the secondtzunl lar i'roii-, the right in Fig. 91 interceiit the paths oii tleseassociated contact members l0. This trunk bar is in its pre-selected.position.. having been rotated. from its normal position parallel to theother trunl; bars shown. The ends of the spring-arms oil: the othertrunk bars in Fig. E2, it will be seen do not intercept the oi theirassociated contact members (lontact springs li are not rotatable-- theymaire contact with their associated contact members l0 each time theline bri is l r operated., regardless oft which trunk bar is engaged.

Ln individual subscribers line beingconnected with each oli contaci.sprint/s ll., it the follows that, through the medium oY associated linebars, each subscriberis irai' be connected with au): liunl terminaitinthe switch. The lower end of each per trunk bar section and the upperend o.. each lower txiinl; section is provided with a laterallyextending erin 2l which coope with trunk bar operating; mechanism torothe trunk hals into their Vcre-selected isa Si spring' 22 bearsaglinst arm l i retains inc trunk bar its norma `ion When it is nototlreiWii-sey displaced bar operating mechanism conit journaled inhearings 3'? and 38. i. 1e sh 'ft is rotatable and moveableloirigitidinalli.,` in the bearings. il. ine; 39 is orovided i rliaiding;` the sh "t i on as shoe/n thi.. posiV4 ,l ratchet prises a 1 i-11 l .in nig. o an( tion alter it h 7 mounted s o ed by armature 33"?.which operates to rota lfi'lounted lon shaft 253 equal intervals aretwelve discs 2l, one for each trunl; bar.

These discs both rotatable :im movable loi itudiualli/v with the s1 att.Each disc is provided with tn'o li f/o itualeo -iieano tvo slots w .i .iL e ano. at nene ineetiieallg7 opposite each oth- 26 also diametricallj/opposf. angles to the lugs.

The lues 253 ol; the several d oted in different angular the shalt asshort7 Vi.

rEhe lugs eel1 n longitudinal oi si iai@ to enH the ernis 2l Wits whichthey are associated and thereby to rotate the trunkbar into itspre-selected position. lt only when the lugs are in juxtaposition totheir associated ernis 2l, however, that they can engage them and sinceonly one 1gair o'f lugs is so situated at anziT one thne7 it is`obifious that onlyv one trunk bar can be preselected at a time.

` latch member 353 clear 5 is provided for each ,4 is pivotally mountedon pin and ividecl with a il which tends `it in its normal position.

llllhen the trunk loar is pre-seleetedj latch engages the lug on the armholds the bar in its AV,re-selected posi.

t is released as will be explained. .er linger 36 attached to or Witeach latclA member p o ts into the oa or s When the lu in position toengage gee iflle trunk. 'flic tion: ry until, in response to the nextsuhscrihers call, the preselected trunk har is encased by a line bar.This is immedia'ely i by energization et electroanagnet S32-l. whichdraws up its armature 34; therebi7 imcartineA a longitudinal movement toshalt Q9. IThis longitudinal movement ol' the :shalt @heels the releaseot the pre-seiccten trunl :1r and simultaneously mores i* next idletrunk bar into its preselected ion.

he eoniinutator shown in Fig. conia pluralitli of stationaryvtern'iinals ieach associated with a trunk. Brush 3l mounted on shaft 23and rotatable therewith ad ice-il to make successive Contact withterminals @2. Brush 3l is inclndeigl in the circuit @if electro-magnet30. YWhenever brush i'l n'ialies contact With a` terminal 132 `which isassociatei'l with a busy trunk, there is :i circuit estaliished throughelectro-magnet l0 which causes it to operate its ture therebj,v rotatingshalt Shaft Q3 is thus rotated until a terminal associated zritl.. anidle trunk is located by brush 8l, at which ti7 pair oi lugs associated'trunk are also in operable i associated arms shown in Fig. (i are .omovements of the inasmuch as .i'e are not rl with the circuits, butcull;1 i, the mechaniczl structure no description of ooeetion of thesecontact springs be l(given.

.flint is claimed is:

l. ln a line switch, a plurali@T oli vertical each trunk bar comprisinga pluts oil Contact spring arms all of sp arms normally situated 1 apluralilj,7 line bars, compl ising a plurilityv of sets g contactmembers one trunl; b r, means for (l olacing g il bars individually toposition said Vorine arns thereon in oper: ble re bu L.

said line bar, means lor mom ig arktehhsh connections between placedtrunk bars.

switch coinprising a pluralitgT trunk hars, a pluralityv ol horiiridnalloperable line bars coand a hinged member on which said line bars aremounted.

A line switch comprising a plurality oit vertical trunk bars, aplurality of horizontal individually operable line bars cooperativebrassociated with said trunk bars and a hinged member, on which said linebars are mounted, arranged to swing;Y hori- :iontellT7 away Yfrom saidtrunk bars.

4. A ,line switch comp`.ing a. plurality o1" Vertical Iunir bars, aplurality of'groups or line bars cooperatively associated witl saidtrunk bars, a hinged member for one or said groups or line bars arrangedto move sait. Group out of operable relation to its associated trunkbars, and n'ieans individual to each line bar oit said group lfor movingit into operable relation to its associated trunk In a switchingmechanism, supporting frame, lield oil" Contact sets comprising twogroups of contacts coopera ly associated, the contacts of one or saidgroups being divided into sections, means for removably mounting' saidsections olE conncl's on said frame, and means comprising coordinatebars operating Conjointly ilior ope ating said Contact sets.

6. In a matching mechanism. :i supportingw frame, Contact se scomprising; two groups of contacts cooperatively ssd ciated, thecontacts or one o. said groups beimgr divided into sections, a ttorsupporting each oill said sections oi: contacts. means for removablyattachu said nieinbers 'to said fra-.me and means( comprising oordinatebars operati. eonjointly Vlor operating); said, contact sets.

7. ln a switching' mechanism. a support-- ing frame. a field ol: contactsets comprising a plurality oi contacts arranged in hori- Yontai rowsand a plurality of contacts arranged in Vertical rows,- said horizontalrows el contacts beingjT divided into sections separately supported uponsaid trame, and i sans comprising coordinate bars operating; Conjointlyfor operating said contact sets.

8. ln a switching mechanism, a supportinfr frame, a field of contactsetscomprising tno groups of contacts cooperatively associated, thecontacts ofi said groups being divided into sections, means 1forremovably moulding' certain olf said sections o: contacts on said frame,and means comprising' coordinare bars operatingconjointly for operat-.ingr said contact sets.

A trunk bar comprising a plurality of' conductor strips superposed andinsulated one ,from the other, plurality of contacting mbers extendinglaterally from each of said conductor strips and integral therewith, anda member having` a straight portion aoa t which said Contactingmembersbear, the Ytree ends oi said contacting members bethereby normally heldin a common plane.

l0.' A trunk bar comprisingl a plurality of conductor strips superposedand insulated one troni thev other, two groups olE contact members eachextending laterally in opposite directions from each o? said conductorstrips, and an aligning member for each group against which the Contactmembers bear, the free ends of the contact members o. each group beingthereby normally held a common plane. ln Witness whereoit I hereuntosubscribe my name this 9th day of October, A. D., lQQO.

JHN NEVBERRY REYNOLDS.

